Month: October 2015

Holly Ward is stretched to the breaking point, raising her young son alone and working long hours for minimum wage at a local superstore. Sure, she’s noticed the new guy with the easy grin and warm brown eyes, but she’s learned the hard way that relationships aren’t worth the pain. Still, when he invites her to split a lottery ticket, she figures a little innocent fun couldn’t hurt. The last thing she expects is to score big, which is exactly what happens . . . in more ways than one.

From the moment he meets Holly, Ray Lopez is drawn to her quiet dignity and openhearted beauty. And when they hit the jackpot together, he’s thrilled that the single mom can give her kid a better life. The only problem is the chaos surrounding them: lawyers and reporters swarming, friends and family angling to get their cut. In all the chaos, Ray discovers an oasis of calm and passion in Holly. But with the stakes higher than ever, winning her trust could cost him everything.

MY REVIEW

This is the story of single mother, Holly Ward, working paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet for her and her son, Drew. Holly is divorced from her emotionally abusive ex-husband, Brett. Holly and her ex have a shared custody arrangement with their son of one week with mom and one week with dad. Brett has since remarried to a sugar mama, Emma, whose money is showered upon Drew.

One day while working at her menial job, a co-worker, Ray, convinces Holly to go half on a Powerball ticket, and they win, BIG!

You would think that this makes the lives of Holly and Ray so much easier, but they both struggle with inner demons throughout this book, including their obvious attraction for one another. Holly is clearly still suffering from the emotional abuse inflicted upon her by her ex, and Ray is reeling from the loss of his mother and his uncertain future.

The author really does an amazing job of bringing the entire story into one cohesive love story, while incorporating some really hot sex scenes along the way.

Overall, I give this story 3.5 out of 4 “Niagara Falls”. See rating system here.

This book is available for pre-order at Amazon here, and will be released on November 10, 2015.

I was given provided this ARC via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. My review is based upon my personal view of reading this book, and my opinions are my own.

Silicone, surgery, and Hollywood starlets.The land of the stars was beckoning and I answered its call. Now that I was free, well, as free as anyone could be, I decided to pursue something for me. To grab life by the horns and ride that sucker until I found my place within it. That decision brought me back home to Malibu, California, where I awaited the beginning of this next phase in my journey.

The job? Create a segment surrounding Living Beautiful for celebrity doctor and daytime television guru, Dr. Hoffman. The man was known for his cunning wit, good looks, and no nonsense lifestyle.

In a city that was filled with plastic Barbie dolls, and nothing you touched was real, I set out to find beauty. And in doing so, I found a lot more that, for me, for the man I loved, and for the rest of the nation.

***

In the tenth book of the Calendar Girl serial, Mia is settled in her new home in Malibu, California. Now that her debt has been paid, and the threat from her ex is gone, she no longer has to live life as an escort. Only life has thrown her some new challenges to round out her year.

Each installment in the Calendar Girl Serial will release every month throughout 2015.

Warning: This book is designed for audiences 18+ due to language and graphic sexual content.

Audrey Carlan is an Amazon Best Selling Author
who writes erotic contemporary romances, such as the wildly popular
“Falling Series.” She lives in the sunny California Valley two hours
away from the city, the beach, the mountains and the precious…the vineyards.
She has been married to the love of her life for over 10 years and has two
young children that live up to their title of “Monster Madness” on daily basis.
When she’s not writing, sipping wine with her “soul sisters”, or doing yoga,
she can be found with her nose stuck in book or her Kindle. A hot, smutty,
romantic book to be exact!

– She dreamt of him before ever meeting him.
– He found her when she needed him the most.

When Leona sees the guy she dreamt about, she decides not to approach him out of bizarreness of the whole situation. Faith, on the other hand, seems to beg the differ, and redirects him, Nathaniel, toward Leona again in her time of need.

Nathaniel, a police officer who’s been on the hunt to find his little brother’s killer for over a year now, turns out to be a dream guy in real life too. And while things are going great between him and Leona, someone is out to ruin his life and crush his dream to avenge Isaac’s, death.

Will their love conquer all obstacles that are about to come their way?

Find out in Incredible Dreams…

A short time later, a noise in the living room woke me up. I had to blink a few times before I could fully open my eyes but as they opened, I could make out a silhouette standing in the corner of the room. It appeared to be a man, fully dressed in black. “Nate,” I called out, hoping it was him. There was no answer, and his powerful stare seemed to drain my will power.

A cold air rushed through my body just seconds before it went numb. The figure began walking slowly towards me and, had I not known better, I would almost think that he was floating—something like they do in those creepy horror movies.

Please, get it together, Leona. Focus on moving your body and get ready to run.

My phone rang then, and I wanted to pick it up so badly that I could imagine myself doing it. But as much as I tried to, I still couldn’t move anything but my eyes. The closer he got to me, the more desperate I became to get my body to move. I couldn’t take it anymore and I sure as hell wasn’t going to sit by and watch him attack me, so I closed my eyes and started praying that he would just get it over with already. Breaking eye contact did wonders. I could feel my muscles relaxing and a few seconds later, I didn’t feel as drawn to him anymore; I could finally move.

I was just about to make my grand escape when my phone started ringing again and this time, I could turn to see Nathaniel’s name on the Caller ID. I was so glad! I avoided eye contact with whoever was coming my way and answered quickly. “Na-Nate there’s someone in the house with me–” was all I could manage before said person grabbed a hold of me and knocked the phone right out of my hand.

“Be still,” his creepy voice mocked me while I attempted to free myself from his tight grip.

Next thing I heard was the sound of the front door breaking down. Nathaniel burst into the room with his Glock in extended hands. “Let go of her, you son of a bitch!”

Alexandra walked into the living room right after him with a baseball bat in her hand. “What the hell is going on in here?” Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw me in the stranger’s clutches. “Let go of her!” she yelled angrily as she took a step towards the man.

The coward took advantage of the situation by pushing me into Nate’s arms and disappeared into the darkness. Alex didn’t waste any time and tried to rush after him, only to be stopped by Nate. “No Alexandra, stay with Leona, and the two of you go check on Alyssa for me.”

Nate was fuming all the way over to Alyssa’s bedroom. “Did he hurt you? Did he touch you? Did you see his face?” I’d never seen him so angry, the man was literally shaking with fury as he told me: “Stay here, okay … I’m gonna go and check out the house.”

I shook my head. “No! Are you crazy? I am not going to leave you out here alone, Nate.”

But it wasn’t up for debate. “I’m serious, Leona, even if you hear anything don’t come out, okay? Please, promise me that you won’t try to interfere; I need you and the girls safe.”

I reluctantly promised him and proceed to knock on Aly’s door … there was no answer. Not wanting to wait for an invitation, I walked in and turned on the lights, and as I did so, the scene in front of me made my heart turn to ice. Alyssa was sound asleep, but there was someone in the room with her. He was standing beside her and was touching and smelling her. He turned his face to look at me and dropped his hand to his side. It was him. Still wrapped up in black clothes and some kind of mask on his face that only showed his eyes and his mouth. He started walking towards me with a creepy grin and the way he did it made my skin crawl.

I screamed. I screamed so loud that my own ears began to whistle. Alyssa woke up in a haze and started screaming alongside me when she saw him. The man stopped in his tracks, turned back around and quickly put one hand around Aly’s neck and the other over her nose and her mouth to stop her from screaming her lungs out.

Alexandra snapped out of her shock and lunged at him with the bat. He ducked and it went straight over his head. Her surprise attack knocked him off balance and he let go of Alyssa before he hit the floor. Before he had the chance to stand up, I jumped on him from behind and started pummeling him with my fists. But he was too big and in seconds, he’d flipped me over and had me pinned.

Alexandra sneaked up on him again, but he sensed the move and yanked the bat from her grip. Screaming, he took a swing at her and cracked her right on the knee with it. She stifled her grimace and pulled a kitchen knife from her back pocket and brandished it in the air. “Let go of her, you bastard!” she yelled.

The intruder smiled and tightened his grip on me. This infuriated Alex even more and she ran at him with the blade. Unable to keep hold of the bat and me, without getting stabbed, he let go of us both and tripped Alex with his foot, causing her to stumble. He took advantage of her fall and grabbed her by both wrists. She tried to struggle out of his grip, but he stole her protection and held the blade against her throat. As he pushed the metal against her skin, Nate appeared with his Glock on the side of the stranger’s head.

“Drop the knife and step away from her. Now!” he ordered.

My first romance suspense! Felida created a PYT (pretty young thing) in Nate, a young and sexy law enforcer. The heroine Leona goes on such a ride with suspenseful twists and turns, never leaving a dull moment in the journey. The chemistry between Nate and Leona is steamy. The best thing about this book is the way Felida weaves in multicultural characters. You see a little bit of every culture and race. I love it! My best to S.E.! ~ 5 Stars, Love Belvin

The date is set and arrangements are being made for Drake and Kate’s wedding. The honeymoon plans are final and renovations to the 8th Avenue apartment are under way. Everything is in place for the start of married life, but not everyone is happy. Both Drake and Kate will experience deeply personal challenges as they face their future together.Is their bond unbreakable?

18+ for mature content.

S. E. Lund lives with her family of humans and animals in a small city in Western Canada in an old house on a quiet tree-lined street. Besides writing erotic, contemporary and paranormal romance, she writes science fiction and fantasy, science fact, advocates for climate action, plays piano and dreams of living in a warm climate by the ocean.

I’d been busy all day packing the bedroom, and was now finishing up packing my studio, sorting through the tubes of acrylic paint and brushes, deciding which ones to keep for shipping or discard. I wrapped up my canvases and finished taping boxes shut when Drake arrived home from the hospital after spending time signing papers and seeing the last of his patients.

He popped his head in the doorway.

“Hey,” he said, his gaze moving around the room, taking in the emptiness of it, and the boxes piled in the center of the room. “Time to get ready.”

I exhaled heavily, unable to hide the reluctance I felt about going to Michael and Claire’s house for the going away party.

Drake heard me and forced a smile. “I know, I know…” He came over to where I stood surrounded by packing boxes and put his hands on my shoulders. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I’ll understand.”

“It doesn’t matter to you?”

He shook his head. “I’d like to be with you, I’d like you beside me, but I understand if you’d rather not have to face Claire. And Sam.”

“Sam, too?” I said and made a face. Of course I knew Sam would be there along with all the other interns, residents and staff who worked with Drake, as well as faculty from the medical college and some of Drake’s senior students.

“Unfortunately.” Drake bent down and looked in my eyes. “If you come, I promise to keep your hand in mine the entire time we’re there. You won’t have to deal with either of them alone, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. Before the safari, I could have spent time with Claire while you did your rounds with your students and the staff, saying goodbye, but now…”

“Michael promised Claire would be on her best behavior.”

I laughed ruefully at that. What was Claire’s best behavior? I had visions of her standing off to the side of the room, whispering with Sam. It didn’t make me feel like going to the party. It felt more like I would be going to an inquisition.

I had to tell myself that I would be leaving with Drake for Manhattan on Tuesday morning. Soon, Claire and Sam would be far away.

“I’ll be fine,” I said and forced a smile. “I’m a big girl. I’ll hold a drink in my hand and smile, listen to conversations, and try to avoid them both.”

“I’ll have your arm hooked through mine. You’ll be my arm candy.”

“Arm candy?” I said with a laugh. “If you put it that way…”

He pulled me into his arms and rocked me gently back and forth. “Arm candy. Brain candy. Heart candy. All three.”

“When you put it like that, how can I refuse?”

I had a quick shower and dressed, putting on the sundress that Drake liked so much, despite it being informal, but he wanted me to wear it so I complied. Drake came into the bathroom while I was standing in front of the mirror curling my hair and he sat on the edge of the tub, watching me get ready as he liked to do.

“Are you sure this dress is appropriate for tonight?” I asked, catching his eye in the mirror.

“Entirely appropriate. It’s my favorite dress. I want to gaze at you and enjoy how the fabric hugs your curves.”

I smiled to myself and curled a long lock of hair, then tucked it into my updo with a bobby pin.

“You’re ready to go?” I asked as I applied some lip gloss. I checked him out. He looked devastatingly handsome, of course. His black hair was shiny and slightly wild, but incredibly sexy over his dark arched brows and blue blue eyes fringed with thick black lashes.

Synopsis:
Eight years ago, Cooper was dating the hottest and most desired girl in Ash Falls and on his way to take over his father’s hotel empire –– the thing was, it wasn’t the life he wanted. The only way he could escape the life his parents had planned for him, was to give up the money and power that came with being a Chamberlin. And, that’s exactly what he planned to do. At the end of the Summer, he was going to leave it all behind, start a new life, on his own terms and without the influence that came with being a Chamberlin.
That was, before he met Emma.
Following her parents’ divorce, Emma is the rock for her alcoholic mother, and her younger sister. She appears resilient, and tenacious, but inside she’s falling apart. The only thing that keeps her going is her love for writing poetry, and that when she finally graduates High School, she’ll be able to start living the life she has always dreamed of.
Until she meets Cooper.
It was supposed to be a Summer fling. She had dreams of her own. Dreams that didn’t include him or his social circles. No one even knew they were friends, let alone lovers. Yet, for one Summer, Emma became Cooper’s entire world. And he, a reminder that love doesn’t have to come with warning signs.
Until one frightful night, when both of their lives, and the lives of the residents of Ash Falls, were turned upside down. Emma is left with one choice, run from the life she thought she didn’t want, and the guy who stole her heart.
But, when she returns six years later, she is faced with a devastating truth that shakes the very foundation that her life was built upon.
Will true love prove the test of time?
Will cooper find his way without losing the things and people that matter to him the most?
Can Emma recover from life’s lessons?
Could Emma and Cooper’s love survive when those closest to them keep tearing them apart?

About the Author:
I’m Aviva Scott.

I’m a native New York who loves to write about all the crap relationships, let-downs, and unbelievable experiences I’ve had, and share them with the world, in an open diary, it-wasnt-me sort of way.

Prior to determining that writing tantalizing stories was my true passion, I tried my hands at being a flight attendant, EMT, cupcake baker, cocktail waitress, and even a counter girl at a makeup counter in a very prestigious Manhattan fashion house, and hated every single minute of it. Except for the cupcakes, they were great.

Currently, I’m working tirelessly on finishing the High Heels Series, eating copious amounts of dark chocolate cupcakes, while procrastinating on Facebook and Twitter.

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